Battery saving with radio control based on cellular condition data

ABSTRACT

Battery power of a dual radio (e.g., Wi-Fi and cellular radios) user equipment (UE) is conserved based on limiting simultaneous (or substantially simultaneous) usage of the radios based on user preference, cellular network condition, device speed, and/or network operator policies. In one aspect, the UE can receive, by employing a first radio (e.g., cellular radio), an adaptable signal strength criterion related to real-time network load conditions of a first radio access network (e.g., cellular network). Moreover, if the signal strength criterion is satisfied, the UE can switch on a second radio (e.g., Wi-Fi radio) to facilitate connection with a second radio network (e.g., Wi-Fi network). The signal strength criterion is updated such that second radios of UEs that are located closer to a cell edge of the first radio access network are switched on before switching on second radios of UE that are located closer to the serving access point.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The subject disclosure relates to wireless communications, e.g., tobattery saving with radio control based on cellular condition data.

BACKGROUND

With an explosive growth in utilization of communication devices, mobiletelecommunications carriers are seeing an exponential increase innetwork traffic. To meet the demands of higher traffic, conventionalsystems employ traffic steering mechanisms that offload mobile trafficfrom a cellular network to an overlapping Wi-Fi network. By using Wi-Finetworks, for example, in indoor locations, mobile telecommunicationscarriers can deliver a superior customer experience and cost effectivelyboost network performance for the end user. Typically, when bothcellular and Wi-Fi radios of a user equipment (UE) are switched on, thebattery of the UE is drained very quickly (as compared to the slowerbattery drain when only a single radio is turned on). One of the reasonsfor the fast battery drain is that the Wi-Fi modem actively andcontinuously scans available Wi-Fi networks and performs relatedprocessing. Typically, many users turn off Wi-Fi due to its significantbattery drain. This can result in the Wi-Fi radio being under utilized,especially in scenarios wherein Wi-Fi is the most suitable radio for aparticular subscriber need.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example system that facilitates radio controlbased on a signal strength (SS) criterion.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example system for determining a SS criterion thatis employable for controlling radios of user equipment (UEs).

FIG. 3 illustrates an example system comprising a user equipment thatfacilitates efficient power management.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate example systems that facilitate powermanagement in multi-radio devices.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example system that facilitates query-based radiocontrol.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example system that facilitates radio controlbased on stored signal strength criteria.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example system that controls operation of dualradios based on random number generation.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example system that facilitates automating one ormore features in accordance with the subject embodiments.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example method that transmits a SS criterion thatis employed to facilitate dual radio management.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example method that automaticallyactivates/deactivates dual radios of a UE.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example method for determining whether a Wi-Firadio of a UE is to be activated.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example method for determining whether a Wi-Firadio of a UE is to be deactivated.

FIG. 13 illustrates an example block diagram of a user equipmentsuitable for radio control based on an adaptable signal strengthcriterion.

FIG. 14 illustrates an example block diagram of an access point suitablefor automatic UE radio management based on an adaptable signal strengthcriterion.

FIG. 15 illustrates an example wireless communication environment for UEpower management based on an adaptable signal strength criterion.

FIG. 16 illustrates a block diagram of a computer operable to executethe disclosed communication architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One or more embodiments are now described with reference to thedrawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to likeelements throughout. In the following description, for purposes ofexplanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to providea thorough understanding of the various embodiments. It may be evident,however, that the various embodiments can be practiced without thesespecific details, e.g., without applying to any particular networkedenvironment or standard. In other instances, well-known structures anddevices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitatedescribing the embodiments in additional detail.

As used in this application, the terms “component,” “module,” “system,”“interface,” “node,” “platform,” or the like are generally intended torefer to a computer-related entity, either hardware, a combination ofhardware and software, software, or software in execution or an entityrelated to an operational machine with one or more specificfunctionalities. For example, a component may be, but is not limited tobeing, a process running on a processor, a processor, an object, anexecutable, a thread of execution, computer-executable instruction(s), aprogram, and/or a computer. By way of illustration, both an applicationrunning on a controller and the controller can be a component. One ormore components may reside within a process and/or thread of executionand a component may be localized on one computer and/or distributedbetween two or more computers. As another example, an interface caninclude input/output (I/O) components as well as associated processor,application, and/or API components.

Further, the various embodiments can be implemented as a method,apparatus, or article of manufacture using standard programming and/orengineering techniques to produce software, firmware, hardware, or anycombination thereof to control a computer to implement one or moreaspects of the disclosed subject matter. An article of manufacture canencompass a computer program accessible from any computer-readabledevice or computer-readable storage/communications media. For example,computer readable storage media can include but are not limited tomagnetic storage devices (e.g., hard disk, floppy disk, magnetic strips. . . ), optical disks (e.g., compact disk (CD), digital versatile disk(DVD) . . . ), smart cards, and flash memory devices (e.g., card, stick,key drive . . . ). Of course, those skilled in the art will recognizemany modifications can be made to this configuration without departingfrom the scope or spirit of the various embodiments.

In addition, the word “example” or “exemplary” is used herein to meanserving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any aspect or designdescribed herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed aspreferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs. Rather, use ofthe word exemplary is intended to present concepts in a concretefashion. As used in this application, the term “or” is intended to meanan inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive “or.” That is, unlessspecified otherwise, or clear from context, “X employs A or B” isintended to mean any of the natural inclusive permutations. That is, ifX employs A; X employs B; or X employs both A and B, then “X employs Aor B” is satisfied under any of the foregoing instances. In addition,the articles “a” and “an” as used in this application and the appendedclaims should generally be construed to mean “one or more” unlessspecified otherwise or clear from context to be directed to a singularform.

Moreover, terms like “user equipment,” “communication device,” “mobiledevice,” “mobile terminal,” and similar terminology, refer to a wired orwireless device utilized by a subscriber or user of a wired or wirelesscommunication service to receive or convey data, control, voice, video,sound, gaming, or substantially any data-stream or signaling-stream. Theforegoing terms are utilized interchangeably in the subjectspecification and related drawings. Data and signaling streams can bepacketized or frame-based flows. Aspects or features of the disclosedsubject matter can be exploited in substantially any wired or wirelesscommunication technology; e.g., Universal Mobile TelecommunicationsSystem (UMTS), Wi-Fi, Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access(WiMAX), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Enhanced GPRS, ThirdGeneration Partnership Project (3GPP) Long Term Evolution (LTE), ThirdGeneration Partnership Project 2 (3GPP2) Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB),High Speed Packet Access (HSPA), Zigbee®, or another IEEE 802.XXtechnology. Additionally, substantially all aspects of the disclosedsubject matter can be exploited in legacy (e.g., wireline)telecommunication technologies.

Furthermore, the terms “user,” “subscriber,” “consumer,” and the likeare employed interchangeably throughout the subject specification,unless context warrants particular distinction(s) among the terms. Itshould be appreciated that such terms can refer to human entities orautomated components supported through artificial intelligence (e.g., acapacity to make inference based on complex mathematical formalisms),which can provide simulated vision, sound recognition and so forth.

Access points can utilize various traffic steering mechanisms to offloadmobile traffic from a cellular network to a Wi-Fi network, for example,network load condition-based traffic steering that can lead to optimalnetwork utilization across various radio access technologies and/orimproved user experience. As an example, the terms “traffic steering” asused herein can refer to directing, attempting to direct, and/orinstructing to direct or deliver at least a port of traffic (dataflows/packets) associated with a communication device from a firstaccess point to a second access point. During traffic steering betweendifferent radio access technologies, typically, radios of a userequipment (UE) associated with the different radio access technologiesare switched on, causing significant battery drain. The systems andmethods disclosed herein increase power saving for the dual radio (e.g.,Wi-Fi and cellular radios) UEs and optimize the Wi-Fi usage. In oneaspect, UEs can automatically turn on/off Wi-Fi radios based on userpreference, cellular network condition, and/or mobile operator policies.The battery power saving can also improve Wi-Fi usage when Wi-Fi becomesmost suitable network for a user, since the battery drain becomes lessof an issue for the users given the enhancement of service.

Referring initially to FIG. 1, there illustrated is an example system100 that facilitates radio control based on a signal strength (SS)criterion, according to one or more aspects of the disclosed subjectmatter. System 100 can comprise a user equipment (UE) 102 thatcommunicates with an access point 104 of a first radio network via afirst radio (e.g., cellular radio). As an example, UE 102 can includemost any electronic communication device such as, but not limited to,most any consumer electronic device, for example, a tablet computer, adigital media player, a digital photo frame, a digital camera, acellular phone, a personal computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA),a smart phone, a laptop, a gaming system, etc. Further, UE 102 can alsoinclude, LTE-based devices, such as, but not limited to, most any homeor commercial appliance that includes an LTE radio. It is noted that UE102 can be mobile, have limited mobility and/or be stationary. In oneexample, UE 102 can include a multi-band, multi-mode, and/or multi-radiodevice. To conserve battery, during communication with the access point104, the UE 102 can switch off other radios associated with differentradio access technologies (e.g., wireless local area network (WLAN)radio, Wi-Fi radio, Bluetooth® radio, ZigBee® radio, etc.).

Usually, a cellular access network provides a better user experiencethan other radio access networks, such as, but not limited to Wi-Fiaccess networks. Thus, it is preferred that user traffic be transferredvia the cellular access network. However, when the cellular accessnetwork is congested, at least some (not all) of the users' traffic canbe offloaded to the other radio access networks. To improve userexperience and cellular resource utilization, at least some of cell edgeusers' traffic can be initially moved to a different radio accessnetwork (if available). As the cell served by access point 104 getscongested/heavily loaded, UEs at (and/or closer to) the cell edgerequire more resources from the cellular network (when only the cellularradio is switched on) as compared to UEs closer to the access point 104.Thus, when traffic from the UEs at (and/or closer to) the cell edge ismoved to another radio access network, a greater amount of resources ofthe cellular network are released and accordingly, cell congestion canbe quickly and efficiently decreased.

In one embodiment, access point 104 (e.g., base station, eNodeB, femtoaccess point, HomeNodeB, etc.) can determine network load informationthat represents mobile traffic handled by the access point 104. As anexample, the network load information can represent a number of UEsserved by the access point 104, load/bandwidth utilization of the UEsand/or load and/or bandwidth conditions associated with a transmissionlink that couples the access point 104 to the core cellular network(e.g., network gateway devices). In one aspect, the access point 104 canalso determine a classification associated with network congestion basedon the network load information. For example, the network congestion canbe classified as “High,” “Medium,” “Low,” etc. Additionally oralternatively, a percentage value (e.g., 90% congested, 75% congested,etc.) representing the network load can also be determined. Based on thenetwork load information, the access point 104 can determine SScriterion data 106, such as, but not limited to a signal strengththreshold (SST) value. In one aspect, the SS criterion data 106 can bemodified to select specific UEs (e.g., UEs that are near a cell edge)and/or adjust the number of UEs that are steered to a target radionetwork (e.g., a Wi-Fi network). It is noted that the SST valuecorresponding to a specific network load and/or congestionclassification can be static (e.g., constant value) or dynamic (e.g.,changes based on network conditions). The access point 104 can transmit(e.g., periodically, on demand, in response to determining a change inthe network load classification, etc.) the SS criterion data 106 to oneor more UEs (including UE 102) that are served by the access point 104.Additionally or optionally, the access point 104 can transmit (e.g.,periodically, on demand, in response to detecting an event, etc.)network load data 108 comprising the network load classification and/orpercentage data to the one or more UEs (including UE 102). As anexample, the access point 104 can transmit the SS criterion data 106and/or network load data 108 via a set of cell broadcast messages (e.g.,system information block message) via one or more layers (differentradio access technologies (RATs) and/or frequencies).

The UE 102 can receive the SS criterion data 106 and/or network loaddata 108 and utilize the received information to determine whether theUE 102 should switch on a second radio associated with a disparate radioaccess technology (e.g., WLAN, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth®, ZigBee®, etc.) andconnect to a target access point 110 of the disparate radio accessnetwork (RAN). Typically, the second radio can be kept switched off toconserve power and extend battery life of the UE 102. In one aspect, aradio control component 112 can determine whether a received signalstrength associated with a signal transmitted by the access point 104satisfies the SS criterion, network load satisfies a high loadcriterion, speed of the UE satisfies a low speed criterion, and/oroperator or user defined policy has been satisfied. In response to oneor more of the above criteria being satisfied, the radio controlcomponent 112 can switch on the second radio of the UE 102 and initiatea connection of the UE 102 with the target access point 110; else, theradio control component 112 can keep the second radio switched off,instruct the UE 102 to continue to be coupled to the access point 104,and direct data traffic via the access point 104. Although the radiocontrol component 112 is depicted to reside within the UE 102, it isnoted that, in one example, at least a portion of the radio controlcomponent 112 can reside outside the UE 102, for example, in a devicelocally or remotely coupled to the UE 102, within the access point 104,and/or a network device within the mobility network. In another example,the radio control component 112 can be distributed over multiple device(e.g., including UE 102) coupled to each other.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there illustrated is an example system 200 fordetermining a SS criterion that is employable for controlling radios ofUEs, in accordance with an aspect of the subject disclosure. In oneaspect, system 200 facilitates determination of a SST that can beutilized by UEs to switch on or off a radio (e.g., WLAN radio, Wi-Firadio, Bluetooth® radio, ZigBee® radio, non-cellular radio, etc.). It isnoted that the access point 104 and the target access point 110 caninclude functionality as more fully described herein, for example, asdescribed above with regard to system 100. Further, the UEs 102 ₁-102_(N) (where N is a most any positive integer) can comprise most anycommunication devices that are communicatively coupled to the accesspoint 104. Moreover, UEs 102 ₁-102 _(N) can be substantially similar UE102 and can include functionality as more fully described herein, forexample, as described above with regard to UE 102. In one example, thetarget access point 110 can include, but is not limited to an accesspoint that is operated and/or deployed by a service provider of thecommunication network 204, and that utilizes a different (or the same)radio technology for communication with the UEs 102 ₁-102 _(N) ascompared to the radio technology utilized by access point 104.

According to an embodiment, access point 104 can include a loaddetermination component 202 that is utilized to determine currentnetwork load conditions associated with the access point 104. The loaddetermination component 202 can determine load utilization on radiolinks (e.g., between access point 104 and UEs 102 ₁-102 _(N)) and/or atransport link (e.g., between access point 104 and the communicationnetwork 204). Additionally or optionally, the load determinationcomponent 202 can collect load information of neighboring access point(e.g., eNB, HNB, base stations, etc. deployed by the communicationnetwork 204), for example, via X2 interfaces enabled by Self OrganizingNetwork (SON) and/or most any other transport mechanisms. In oneexample, the load determination component 202 can also receive loadinformation of an overlapping cell from other RATs or frequencies. Forexample, the load determination component 202 can receive loadinformation of the target access point 110 that can be utilizedfacilitate traffic steering. Based on the determined and/or receivedload information, the load determination component 202 can determine aclassification and/or category associated with network congestion. Forexample, the load determination component 202 can classify the networkload/congestion as High, Medium, Low, Normal, etc. Additionally oralternatively, the load determination component 202 can determine apercentage value (e.g., 90% congested, 75% congested, etc.) representingthe network load.

Based on the network load information, a SS criterion determinationcomponent 208 can determine SS criterion data, such as, but not limitedto a SST value (e.g., −108 dB, −105 dB, etc.) and/or range (e.g., −108to −109 dB). As an example, as the network congestion increases, the SSTvalue can be increased (and/or SS range can be increased), such that agreater number of UEs (e.g., UEs 102 ₁-102 _(N)) can be steered to atarget radio network (e.g., WLAN, a Wi-Fi network, a femtocell network,Bluetooth® network, ZigBee® network, etc.) and the radios of UEs (e.g.,UEs 102 ₁-102 _(N)) that facilitate communication with the target radionetwork can be turned on. Additionally or alternatively, the SST valueor SS range data can be selected in a manner such that only the radiosof UEs that are closer to a cell edge (e.g., further away from theaccess point 104) can be turned on (and the UEs can be steered to thetarget radio network) before turning on the radios of the UEs that arenot close to the cell edge. In another example, the SST value or SSrange data can be selected in a manner such that the radios of the UEsthat are closer to target access point 110 can be turned on beforeturning on the radios the UEs that further away from the target accesspoint 110. In one aspect, operator defined network policies 210 can beutilized to facilitate the determination of SS criterion. For example,the operator defined network policies 210 can specify the SST valuesand/or ranges corresponding to different network load conditions. Inanother aspect, the SS criterion determination component 208 can employhistorical data (e.g., previously utilized SST values/ranges thatimproved radio network efficiency) and/or automated learning mechanisms(e.g., described in detail with respect to FIG. 8) to determine the SScriterion. Further, in yet another example, the SST values and/or rangescan be customized based on a type of target radio network (e.g.,different SST values and/or ranges can be assigned for Wi-Fi networks,Bluetooth® networks, ZigBee® networks, etc.). It is noted that themapping between the network load/congestion and the SST values can bestatic or dynamic. For example, the mapping can depend on target celldistribution and/or UE distribution within a coverage area of the accesspoint 104 that can change over time.

To initiate the turning on (or off) of the radios of one or more of theUEs 102 ₁-102 _(N) and/or facilitate traffic steering, a data transfercomponent 212 can transmit the information determined by the loaddetermination component 202 and/or the SS criterion determinationcomponent 208 to the one or more UEs 102 ₁-102 _(N). Moreover, the datatransfer component 212 can transmit load information regarding (i) theaccess point 104; and optionally (ii) the neighboring access point 206;and/or (iii) overlapping cells from other RATs or frequencies (e.g.,target access point 110). As an example, the load information can be inthe format of categories (e.g., High, Medium, Low), or in the format ofpercentages (e.g., 70% congested, 90% congested, etc.). In addition, thedata transfer component 212 can transmit the adaptive SS criterion toone or more of the UEs 102 ₁-102 _(N). Additionally or optionally, thedata transfer component 212 can transmit cell type information relatedto the target access point 110 (e.g., Wi-Fi cell, ZigBee® cell, WLANcell, etc.).

Typically, the data transfer component 212 can transmit the loadinformation and/or the SS criterion at various times, such as, but notlimited to, periodically, on demand, based on detecting an event, basedon detecting a change in a network load condition, etc. Further, thedata transfer component 212 can transmit the load information and/or theSS criterion via one or more layers (e.g., different RATs and/orfrequencies). As an example, the data transfer component 212 cantransmit the load information and/or the SS criterion via one or morecell broadcast messages, such as, but not limited to, a SystemInformation Block (SIB) messages. In one embodiment, the loadinformation and/or the SS criterion can be included within or appendedto an SIB message that contains other information. Alternatively, theload information and/or the SS criterion can be transmitted as a new SIBmessage. It is noted that the data transfer component 212 is not limitedto broadcasting the load information and/or the SS criterion data, andthat the data transfer component 212 can transmit the load informationand/or the SS criterion data to one or more of the UEs 102 ₁-102 _(N)via various different messages, such as, but not limited to a ShortMessage Service (SMS) message (e.g., SMS Cell Broadcast (SMS-CB)messages and/or SMS Peer-to-Peer (SMPP) messages), a MultimediaMessaging Service (MMS), an email message, a Wireless ApplicationProtocol (WAP) push message, an Unstructured Supplementary Service Data(USSD), or any combination thereof. Further, the data transfer component212 is not limited to transmitting the same messages to all the UEs 102₁-102 _(N) and the data transfer component 212 can customize themessages for the UEs 102 ₁-102 _(N) based on a subscriber classassociated with the UEs 102 ₁-102 _(N). For example, messagestransmitted to UEs that are associated with a base rate plan can onlyinclude information related to a target access point (e.g., Wi-Fi accesspoint), whereas, messages transmitted to UEs that are associated with ahigher tier subscriber classes can include more comprehensive networkload information (e.g., load information associated with differentlayers of LTE network).

Broadcast messages transmitted by the access point 502 can be received,read and/or followed the UEs 102 ₁-102 _(N), when the UEs 102 ₁-102 _(N)are operating in an idle mode (e.g., no ongoing communication sessions)and/or in a connected mode (e.g., performing an on-going communicationsession). In addition, in one example, when a UE, for example UE 102 ₁,is in an active mode, the UE 102 ₁ can facilitate load management bytransmitting the query to the access point 104, for example, whendetermined that the UE 102 ₁ is suffering the effects of congestionin-call (e.g., poor Quality of Service, dropped packets, interruptions,etc.). For example, if resources grants are getting sparse, the UE 102 ₁can transmit a query to the access point 104 to find a better cell whileoperating in the active mode (e.g., in-call). In one example, if theaccess point 104 is too overloaded to respond to the query, cached loadinformation (e.g., from the last broadcast message) can be transmittedby the access point 104 to the UE 102 ₁. The UE 102 ₁ can utilize theinformation to turn on disparate radios and find a less loaded accesspoint (e.g., target access point 110). In this example case, the UE cantake a reception break (e.g., gap-assisted measurements) on the servingcell (e.g., served via access point 104) to find other candidates (e.g.,target access point 110) with less load during the ongoing communicationsession.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there illustrated is an example system 300comprising a UE 102 that facilitates efficient power management,according to an aspect of the subject disclosure. The UE 102 can connectto different RANs (e.g., cellular network and WLAN) via different radiosthat employ different (or the same) RATs and/or frequencies. To conservebattery power, the UE 102 can typically keep only a single (e.g.,cellular) radio on and switch on an additional radio (e.g., WLAN radio,Wi-Fi radio) only when certain criteria are met. It is noted that the UE102, the access point 104, the target access point 110, and the radiocontrol component 112 can include functionality as more fully describedherein, for example, as described above with regard to systems 100 and200.

In one aspect, a data reception component 302 can receive the loadinformation and/or the SS criterion transmitted by the access point 104,for example, via a cell broadcast message. As an example, the datareception component 302 can parse the received messages and provide theload information and the SS criterion to the radio control component112. According to an aspect, the radio control component 112 analyzesthe load information and the SS criterion to determine whether a radio(e.g., WLAN radio, Wi-Fi radio) is to be turned on or off. If the loadinformation indicates that the network load is low (e.g., below adefined load threshold), the radio control component 112 can turn off(or continue to keep turned off) the radio associated with the targetRAN and can instruct the UE 102 to continue communicating via the accesspoint 104. Alternatively, if the network load is high (e.g., above thedefined load threshold), the radio control component 112 can utilize theSS criterion to determine whether the radio is to be turned on. In oneaspect, the radio control component 112 can determine a received signalstrength (e.g., reference signal received power (RSRP), received signalcode power (RSCP), received signal strength indicator (RSSI), etc.)associated with a signal transmitted by the access point 104. Further,the radio control component 112 can determine whether the receivedsignal strength satisfies the SS criterion. For example, the radiocontrol component 112 can compare the received signal strength to theSST value and/or SS range. If the received signal strength is lower thanthe SST value (and/or within the SS range), the radio control component112 can determine that the UE 102 can switch on a radio associated withthe target RAN and accordingly, can initiate attachment signaling toconnect to the target access point 110. Alternatively, if the receivedsignal strength is higher than the SST value (and/or outside the SSrange), the radio control component 112 can determine that the UE 102can turn off (or continue to keep turned off) the radio associated withthe target RAN and can instruct the UE 102 to continue communicating viathe access point 104. Since the SST values and/or ranges are adaptedbased on current network conditions, a priority associated with UEs thatare closer to the cell edge to have dual (or multiple) radiossimultaneously (or substantially simultaneously) on is increased.

In addition to the load information and the SS criterion, the radiocontrol component 112 can employ data stored within a local data store304 (and/or a remote data store (not shown)) to further customize theradio control. It is noted that the data store 304 can include volatilememory(s) or nonvolatile memory(s), or can include both volatile andnonvolatile memory(s). Examples of suitable types of volatile andnon-volatile memory are described below with reference to FIG. 16. Thememory (e.g., data stores, databases) of the subject systems and methodsis intended to comprise, without being limited to, these and any othersuitable types of memory. In one aspect, the data stored within a localdata store 304 can be received from a network device (not shown), forexample via data reception component 302, and/or directly input via aninput component 318 (e.g., keypad, touch screen, mouse, etc.) of the UE102. Moreover, the radio control component 112 can analyze variousparameters, such as, but not limited to, device preferences 306,application preferences 308, policies 310 (e.g., user defined policies,operator/service provider-defined policies, etc.), user input 312 (e.g.,user has explicitly turned on or off the additional radio) and/orhistorical data 314 (e.g., device behavior, patterns, trends, etc.), todetermine whether UE radios are to be turned on or turned off. Forexample, the radio control component 112 can determine, based onoperator's policy and/or information gathered locally from the datastore 304 and/or from the network that a specific application running onUE 102 would perform better if traffic associated with the applicationis switched to a Wi-Fi network and accordingly, can turn on the Wi-Firadio. In another example, since certain applications (e.g., voice) maynot be suited for Wi-Fi communications, steering data associated thoseapplications to the Wi-Fi network is not preferred and accordingly, asecond radio (e.g., Wi-Fi radio) can be switched (or continued to bekept) off. Further, the radio control component 112 can also utilize UErelated data to facilitate radio control. In one aspect, a motiondetermination component 316 can be utilized to determine the UE relateddata, for example, location, speed, motion, position, and/or directionof travel of the UE 102 (e.g., based on GPS data, accelerometer and/orgyroscope data, etc.). As an example, steering a fast moving UE 102, ora UE at a specified location/area, to a WLAN is not preferred andaccordingly, a second radio (e.g., WLAN radio, Wi-Fi radio) can beswitched (or continued to be kept) off.

Further, the data reception component 302 can also receive, from theaccess point 104 and/or the target access point 110, information relatedto the target access point 110 such as (but not limited to) loadconditions and/or cell type information. The radio control component 112can utilize this data to facilitate radio management. For example, ifdetermined that the target access point 110 is highly congested, theradio control component 112 can determine that the traffic of the UE 102is not to be steered to the target RAN, and can instruct the UE 102 toswitch off or continue to keep switched off) the target radio.

System 300 can encourage users to consider cost efficiency for theirwireless use. For example, if unlimited data plans have expired (e.g.,during a defined time period or after a usage threshold) and limiteddata plans (with overage charges) are being applied to datacommunications associated with the UE 302, the users can be encouragedto utilize (simultaneously or substantially simultaneously) dual radiosof UE 302. Users are more apt to use additional UE radios (and sacrificebattery life and/or performance) if they are near and/or have exhaustedtheir data plan usage limit. In this regard, a user can provideinstructions (e.g., policies 310 and/or user input 312), via inputcomponent 318, to select an operation mode based on cost efficiency. Forexample, the operation mode can comprise: “default”, “economy” and/or“performance” modes. When the “default” mode is selected, the radiocontrol component 112 activates secondary radios (e.g., Wi-Fi radio) asalready described above, for example, by comparing the actual SS to theload-adapted SST provided by the network. When SS is less than the SST(and/or other criterion like mobility state are met), the radio controlcomponent 112 can activate the secondary radio. When the “economy” modeis selected, the user is willing to sacrifice performance and batterylife to conserve data plan usage. In this example scenario, the radiocontrol component 112 can apply a positive offset (e.g., +6 dB) to thereceived SST and activate the secondary radio under a wider range of SSconditions (e.g., 6 dB sooner (higher SS) than the “default” setting).In other cases, the user may wish to preserve battery life and/oroptimize performance consistency by using secondary radios only as alast resort. In this case, the user can select the “performance” modeand accordingly, the radio control component 112 can apply a negativeoffset (e.g., −6 dB) to the received SST and activate the secondaryradio under a narrower range of SS conditions (e.g., 6 dB later (lowerSS) than the “default” setting). In addition to these three manualmodes, the radio control component 112 can track monthly usage againstdata plan limits and dynamically change modes according to the remainingdata plan budget. For example, the radio control component 112 canchange to economy mode when the monthly data use nears 90% (e.g., ormost any defined usage threshold) of the monthly data plan limit

According to an aspect, the radio control component 112 can performradio management periodically, on-demand, in response to detecting anevent (e.g., receipt of load information and/or the SS criterion). If anadditional radio has been turned on, the UE 102 can scan and find a newnetwork and initiate attachment signaling to connect to the new network;else, the UE 102 can continue to be connected to and communicate via theexisting network. It is noted that the UE 102 is not limited tocommunicating all data (e.g., IP flows) through the new network and thatthe UE 102 can select a first portion of data (e.g., select a first setof IP flows) that can be communicated via the new network (e.g., viatarget access point 110) and a second portion of data (e.g., select asecond set of IP flows) that can be communicated via the old network(e.g., via access point 104). As an example, the selection of the data(e.g., IP flows) can be based on operator policy(ies), e.g. using anaccess network discovery and selection function (ANDSF). The operatorpolicies can be received by the UE 102 from an ANDSF server (now shown)within (or coupled to) the mobility network and stored as policies 310.For example, the operator policies can include an Inter-system mobilitypolicy (ISMP) and/or an Inter-system routing policy (ISRP). The ISMPspecifies that only one radio access network can be active (e.g.,accessed) at a given time (e.g., all the traffic associated with UE 102is communicated either via access point 104 or via target access point110). The ISRP specifies that the UE 102 can access more than one radioaccess network at a given time (e.g., some traffic can be communicatedvia the target access point 110 based on operator ISRP policy). As anexample, the policy can specify (but is not limited to) when a servingcellular network becomes congested, if the UE 102 is selected (e.g.,based on SS criterion and/or various parameter utilized by the radiocontrol component 112) to be steered to the target radio access pointdevice 110, only data associated with certain applications, or requiringcertain bandwidth/Quality of Service, etc. (e.g., streaming video) canbe steered to the target access point device 110, while other dataassociated with other applications, or requiring other bandwidth/Qualityof Service, etc. (e.g., VoIP) can be communicated via the access point104.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate example systems (400, 450) that facilitatepower management in multi-radio devices, according to an aspect of thedisclosed subject matter. Systems 400, 450 depict traffic steering froma first network (e.g., a cellular network) to one or more secondnetworks (e.g., WLAN), for example, that are commonly operated.Moreover, system 400 depicts traffic steering in a lightly congestedcell, while system 450 depicts traffic steering in a more heavilycongested cell. It is noted that the first and second network can usedifferent or the same RATs, frequencies, and/or protocols forcommunication with the UEs. The access point 104 can includefunctionality as more fully described herein, for example, as describedabove with regard to systems 100-300. Further, the UEs 102 a-102 h canbe substantially similar to UE 102 and can include functionality as morefully described herein, for example, as described above with regard tothe UE 102. Although eight UEs 102 a-102 h are depicted in the coveragearea 404, it can be appreciated that the subject disclosure is notlimited to eight UEs and coverage area 404 can include one or more UEs.In addition, target access points 110 ₁ and 110 ₂ can be substantiallysimilar to target access point 110 and can include functionality as morefully described herein, for example, as described above with regard tothe target access point 110. Although only two target access points 110₁ and 110 ₂ are depicted to have coverage areas (402 ₁, 402 ₂) thatoverlap (e.g., completely or partially) the coverage area of the accesspoint 104, it can be appreciated that the subject disclosure is notlimited to two target access points and can include one or more targetaccess points.

When the first RAN (e.g., cellular RAN) is not congested, the networkoperator would typically prefer to serve its customers' traffic via thecellular network itself, for example, to provide cellular servicesand/or a better end customer experience. As the congestion level offirst RAN increases (e.g., data traffic through access point 104increases), the access point 104 can trigger activation of a secondradio of some of the UEs 102 a-102 h within its coverage area such thatthe selected UEs can communicate via one or more target access points(110 ₁, 110 ₂). FIG. 4A depicts an example scenario, wherein the firstRAN is lightly congested, for example, with 70% load, congestion levelset to “medium,” etc. (e.g., determined by the load determinationcomponent 202). In this example, scenario, the access point 104 candetermine (e.g., by employing SS criterion determination component 208)a first SST 408 ₁ and transmit the first SST 408 ₁ to one or more of theUEs102 a-102 h. For example, the SST 408 ₁ can be set at −108 dB.Typically, the SST 408 ₁ can be determined in a manner such that trafficassociated with some of the UEs102 a-102 h (e.g., UEa and UEb), thatexperience poor signal quality (e.g., received signal strength is lessthan the SST 408 ₁) and utilize a greater amount of resources of thefirst RAN can be steered from the first RAN to a second RAN of thetarget access point 110 ₁. The remaining UEs (e.g., UEc-UEg) thatexperience better signal quality (e.g., received signal strength isgreater than the SST 408 ₁) and utilize fewer resources of the firstRAN, and/or the UEs (e.g., UEh) that are not within a coverage area ofanother RAN can continue to be served by and communicate via the accesspoint 104. Moreover, the SST value is modified such that trafficassociated with UEs that are at (or close to) the cell edge, UEs thatexperience poor radio quality, and/or UEs that utilize maximum resourcesof the first RAN is steered to the target RAN before steering trafficassociated with UEs that are at not as close the cell edge, UEs thatexperience better radio quality and/or UEs that utilize fewer resourcesof the first RAN. In order to facilitate the traffic steering, theselected UEs (e.g., UEa and UEb) can be triggered to activate anadditional radio (e.g., WLAN radio, Wi-Fi radio, Bluetooth® radio,ZigBee® radio, etc.) associated with the target RAN. Further, toconserve battery, the other UEs (e.g., UEc-UEg) can be instructed todeactivate (or continue to keep deactivated) their additional radios.

It is noted that the UEa and UEb can consider additional criteria priorto activating the additional radio, such as (but not limited to), devicepreferences, UE motion, application preferences (e.g., determining thatapplication and/or services running on the UE (e.g., UEa and UEb) aresupported by the target access point 110 ₁), policy data (e.g., datalimits set by user/operator), user input, historical data, load/signalstrength associated with the target access point 110 ₁, etc. Once theadditional radio has been activated, UEa and/or UEb can scan the targetaccess point 110 ₁ via a Hotspot2.0 (HS2.0) Beacon and/or Access NetworkQuery Protocol (ANQP) to determine quality information associated withthe target access point 110 ₁.

Referring now to FIG. 4B, there depicted is an example scenario, whereinthe first RAN is heavily congested, for example, with 88% load,congestion level set to “High,” etc. (e.g., determined by the loaddetermination component 202). In this example, scenario, the accesspoint 104 determines (e.g., by employing SS criterion determinationcomponent 208) a second SST 408 ₂ and transmits the second SST 408 ₂ toone or more of the UEs 102 a-102 h. The second SST 408 ₂ is typicallyhigher than the first SST 408 ₁. For example, based on the increase innetwork congestion, the access point can change the SST from −108 dB to−105 dB. Accordingly, traffic associated with greater number of UEs(UEa-UEe) can be steered to target radio access networks. The remainingUEs (e.g., UEf) that experience better signal quality (e.g., receivedsignal strength is greater than the SST 408 ₂) and/or the UEs (e.g.,UEg-UEh) that are not within a coverage area of another RAN can continueto be served by and communicate via the access point 104. Moreover,UEa-UEe each utilize more resources of the first RAN as compared to UEfand accordingly, steering UEa-UEe to a second RAN can release moreresources than those released if UEf was steered to the second RAN. Inorder to facilitate the traffic steering, the selected UEa-UEe can betriggered to activate an additional radio associated with the targetRANs. Further, to conserve battery, the other UEs (e.g., UEf-UEg) can beinstructed to deactivate (or continue to keep deactivated) theiradditional radios.

As discussed supra, it is noted that UEa-UEe can consider additionalcriteria prior to activating their additional radios such as (but notlimited to) signal quality associated with a signal received from thetarget access points 110 ₁ and 110 ₂, the speed and/or motion criterion,application and/or services criterion, user preference criterion, andthe like. Further, it is noted that as the congestion of the first RANdecreases, the SST value can be adjusted accordingly (e.g., the secondSST 408 ₂ can be changed back to the first SST 408 ₁) and accordinglythe activation/deactivation of the additional radios can be controlled.

Referring now to FIG. 5, there illustrated is an example system 500 thatfacilitates query-based radio control, according to one or more aspectsof the disclosed subject matter. In one example, system 500 can beutilized in an example scenario wherein the access point 502 (e.g., basestation, eNB, HNB, etc.) serving the UE 102 does not supportdetermination and/or transmission of the SS criterion. In anotherexample, system 500 can be utilized in an example scenario wherein theUE 102 performs load management in an active mode (e.g., during anongoing communication session). In this example, the access point 502may or may not support the determination and/or transmission of the SScriterion. It is noted that the UE 102, the radio control component 112,the communication network 204, and the data reception component 302 caninclude functionality as more fully described herein, for example, asdescribed above with regard to systems 100-400. The UE 102 comprises adual and/or multi-radio device that can typically switch off additionalradios (radios in addition to the cellular radio) to conserve UEbattery.

In one aspect, if the UE 102 determines that it is not served by acarrier/access point that transmits network load and/or SS criteriondata, the data reception component 302 can query a network loadmanagement system 504 via the access point 502 to request for thenetwork load and SS criterion data. As an example, the query can betransmitted periodically (e.g., based on predefined timing intervals),on-demand, in response to an event, etc. Typically, the query can besent more or less frequently based upon the performance of the currentserved technology/carrier/layer. Further, the query can be sent when theUE 102 is operating in an idle mode (e.g., no ongoing communicationsessions) or in an active mode (e.g., the UE is performing one or moreongoing communication sessions). Broadcast messages (if transmitted bythe access point 502) can be received, read and/or followed the UE 102when the UE 102 is in the idle mode and/or in a connected mode (e.g.,performing an on-going communication session). In addition, in oneexample, the UE 102 can facilitate load management during an active modeby transmitting the query to the network load management system 504, forexample, when determined that the UE 102 is suffering the effects ofcongestion in-call. For example, if the UE 102 determines during anongoing communication session that resources grants are getting sparse,the UE 102 can transmit the query to the network load management system504 to find a better (e.g., non-overloaded) cell (e.g., while stillactive in-call). In one example, if the network load management system504 and/or the serving cell are too overloaded to respond to the query,cached load information can be transmitted to the UE 102, which in turncan utilize the cached load information to determine that the additional(different) radio is to be activated. In this example case, onactivation of the additional radio, the UE 102 can communicate via theadditional radio to search for target cells during an ongoingcommunication session, for example, by taking a reception break (e.g.,gap-assisted measurements) on the serving cell.

In response to the query, the network load management system 504 candetermine the load information and SS criterion data requested in thequery and provide the requested information to the UE 102 in one or moreresponse messages transmitted via the access point 502. In one aspect,the network load management system 504 can collect load data from one ormore access points (e.g., access point 502) deployed in thecommunication network 204. For example, the one or more access points(e.g., access point 502) can report load data to the network loadmanagement system 504 (e.g., periodically, when a change is network loadis detected, etc.). It is noted that the network load management system504 can collect the load data in a pull configuration with the one ormore access points (e.g., access point 502) and/or receive the load datapushed by one or more access points (e.g., access point 502). Based onan analysis of the collected data, the network load management system504 can utilize SS criterion determination component 506 to identify SScriteria corresponding to different sectors/access points of thecommunication network 204. It is noted that SS criterion determinationcomponent 506 can be substantially similar to SS criterion determinationcomponent 208 and can include functionality as more fully describedherein, for example, as described above with regard SS criteriondetermination component 208. In one aspect, the response sent by thenetwork load management system 504 can be customized for the UE 102, forexample, based on a subscriber class associated with the UE 102. In oneexample, data indicative of the subscriber class can be received fromthe UE 102 in the query and/or can be received from a subscriber datastore (not shown) of the communication network 204. For example, ifdetermined that the UE 102 is associated with a base rate plan, thenetwork load management system 504 can transmit a response customizedfor the base rate plan that can only include information related to atarget access point (e.g., Wi-Fi access point): whereas, if determinedthat UE 102 is associated with a higher tier, the network loadmanagement system 504 can transmit a response that comprises morecomprehensive network load information (e.g., load informationassociated with different layers of LTE network). Although the networkload management system 504 is illustrated as being remotely coupled tothe access point 502, It is noted that the network load managementsystem 504 can be locally coupled to the access point 502 (e.g., withinthe RAN) or can be located elsewhere within the communication network204.

In an aspect, the query generated by UE 102 can include data such as(but not limited to) the served physical cell ID (PCI) of the accesspoint 502 to which the UE 102 is connected, the cell identifier (ID)associated with the access point 502, the Basic Service Set IDentifier(BSSID) and/or the Service Set Identifier (SSID) (if the RAN includes oris otherwise capable of receiving load information from a nearby a Wi-Finetwork). Based on the PCI/SSID/BSSID, the network load managementsystem 504 can identify the network sectors corresponding to the accesspoint 502 and/or one or more neighboring access points (not shown),dynamically determine (and/or lookup) the corresponding SS criterion andnetwork load information, and transmit the determined information to theUE 102. The UE 102 can receive the SS criterion and network loadinformation (e.g., via the data reception component 302) and analyze theSS criterion and network load information to activate/deactivateadditional radios (e.g., via the radio control component 112).

Referring now to FIG. 6, there illustrated is an example system 600 thatfacilitates radio control based on stored SS criteria, in accordancewith an aspect of the subject disclosure. It is noted that the UE 102,the radio control component 112, and the data reception component 302can include functionality as more fully described herein, for example,as described above with regard to systems 100-500.

In one example, the UE 102 can include a data store 602 (the same as ordifferent from data store 304) that can be utilized to store SS criteriarecords 604. In one aspect, the records 604 can retain SS criteria datacorresponding to different network load classification values (e.g.,“high, “low,” “70%”, “90%,” etc.). For example, for a 70% load value,the corresponding SS criteria can include a SST value of −108 dB; andfor an 88% load value, the corresponding SS criteria can include a SSTvalue of −105 dB. In one example, the records 604 can be predefined byan operator, periodically (e.g., via over-the-air updates), duringinitialization, during power on, on-demand, etc. In another example, therecords 604 can be populated by UE 102, based on the messages (e.g., SIBmessage, cell broadcast message, etc.) received from an access point(e.g., access point 104). Once populated (or partially populated), theUE 102 can employ the records 604 to facilitate efficient radio controland network selection. In this example scenario, an access point servingthe UE 102 can simply provide load information (and need not transmit SScriteria) to the UE 102. Based on the load information, the UE 102 canlookup the records 604 to determine a corresponding SS criterion. If theSS criterion is satisfied (e.g., RSPR/RSCP>SST), the UE 102 (e.g., byemploying radio control component 112) can deactivate (or continue tokeep in a deactivated state) an additional radio (e.g., WLAN radio,Wi-Fi radio, Bluetooth® radio, ZigBee® radio, etc.). Alternatively, ifthe SS criterion is not satisfied (e.g., RSPR/RSCP<SST), the UE 102(e.g., by employing radio control component 112) can activate theadditional radio and initiate attachment signaling to connect to anotherRAN via the additional radio.

Referring now to FIG. 7, there illustrated is an example system 700 thatcontrols operation of dual radios based on random number generation, inone aspect of the subject disclosure. It is noted that the UE 102, theaccess point 104, the radio control component 112, and the datareception component 302 can include functionality as more fullydescribed herein, for example, as described above with regard to systems100-600. Consider an example scenario, wherein network congestion of thefirst RAN is “High” and traffic associated with a large number of UEs,coupled to the first RAN, are steered to the second RAN. In this examplescenario, the steering can cause congestion in the second RAN and theUEs can be handed back to the first RAN. This can lead to a ping-pongeffect, wherein the UEs are handed over between the first RAN and thesecond RAN. To avoid this ping-pong effect, the access point 104 cantransmit a calculated integer “A”, e.g., in the range of 0-10, alongwith the load and SS criterion to only activate additional radios (e.g.,WLAN radio, Wi-Fi radio, Bluetooth® radio, ZigBee® radio, etc.) of aportion of UEs and steer them to the second RAN. As an example, thecalculated integer can be determined based on sequential counter and/ora random number generator. Further, each UE (e.g., UE 102) can generatea random number “X”, e.g., which is also in the range of 0-10, forexample by employing a random number generator 702. As an example, therandom number generator 702 can generate the random number in accordancewith a class of users with similar service characteristics. Further,based on a defined (e.g., operator-defined) policy that employs thegenerated random number “X” and the received integer “A”, the radiocontrol component 112 can determine whether the additional radio is tobe switched on. For example, the radio control component 112 can comparethe generated random number “X” to the received integer “A” and ifdetermined that “X” is less than “A”, the radio control component 112can switch on the additional radio and initiate steering the UE 102 tothe second RAN; otherwise the UE 102 can continue conserve battery andkeep its additional radio switched off. Although depicted to residewithin the UE 102, it can be appreciated that the random numbergenerator can be locally or remotely coupled to the UE 102.

Referring now to FIG. 8, there illustrated is an example system 800 thatemploys one ore more artificial intelligence (AI) components (802 ₁, 802₂), which facilitate automating one or more features in accordance withthe subject embodiments. It can be appreciated that the UE 102, theaccess point 104, the SS criterion data 106, the network load data 108,the radio control component 112, the SS criterion determinationcomponent 208, the data transfer component 212, and the data receptioncomponent 302 can include respective functionality, as more fullydescribed herein, for example, with regard to systems 100-700.

An example embodiment, system 800 (e.g., in connection withautomatically determining a SS criterion, data transfer parameter, radiocontrol criterion, operation mode, etc.) can employ various AI-basedschemes for carrying out various aspects thereof. For example, a processfor determining optimal SST values/ranges, an optimal time to transferthe SST values/ranges to a UE, determining a number of UEs that are tobe steered to a target RAN to efficiently reduce network congestionwithout negatively impacting user experience, selecting the UEs to whichthe SST values/ranges are transferred, selecting an operation mode(e.g., default, economy and/or performance mode), etc. can befacilitated via an automatic classifier system implemented by AIcomponent 802 ₁. Additionally or alternatively, a process fordetermining when an additional radio is to be switched on and off, whichnetwork is to be selected, when a query for load/SST data is to betransmitted, etc. can be facilitated via an automatic classifier systemimplemented by AI component 802 ₂.

A classifier can be a function that maps an input attribute vector,x=(x1, x2, x3, x4, xn), to a confidence that the input belongs to aclass, that is, f(x)=confidence(class). Such classification can employ aprobabilistic and/or statistical-based analysis (e.g., factoring intothe analysis utilities and costs) to prognose or infer an action that auser desires to be automatically performed. In the case of communicationsystems, for example, attributes can be information received from UEsand/or access points, and the classes can be categories or areas ofinterest (e.g., levels of priorities). A support vector machine (SVM) isan example of a classifier that can be employed. The SVM operates byfinding a hypersurface in the space of possible inputs, which thehypersurface attempts to split the triggering criteria from thenon-triggering events. Intuitively, this makes the classificationcorrect for testing data that is near, but not identical to trainingdata. Other directed and undirected model classification approachesinclude, e.g., naïve Bayes, Bayesian networks, decision trees, neuralnetworks, fuzzy logic models, and probabilistic classification modelsproviding different patterns of independence can be employed.Classification as used herein can also be inclusive of statisticalregression that is utilized to develop models of priority.

As will be readily appreciated from the subject specification, anexample embodiment can employ classifiers that are explicitly trained(e.g., via a generic training data) as well as implicitly trained (e.g.,via observing UE behavior, user/operator preferences, historicalinformation, receiving extrinsic information, network load/congestiontrends, type of UE, type of target RAN, etc.). For example, SVMs can beconfigured via a learning or training phase within a classifierconstructor and feature selection module. Thus, the classifier(s) of AIcomponent 802 ₁ can be used to automatically learn and perform a numberof functions, including but not limited to determining according to apredetermined criteria SST values/ranges related to a network load, whenand/or or to which devices is the network load data 108 to betransmitted, when and/or or to which devices is the SS criterion data106 to be transmitted, how many devices are to be steered to a targetRAN, etc. Further, the classifier(s) of AI component 802 ₂ can be usedto automatically learn and perform a number of functions, including butnot limited to determining according to a predetermined criteria whenthe additional radio of UE 102 is to be turned off, when the additionalradio of UE 102 is to be turned on, a network to which the UE 102 is tobe handed over, a time at which a query for load/SST data is to betransmitted, etc. The criteria can include, but is not limited to,historical patterns and/or trends, UE behavior, user preferences,service provider preferences and/or policies, location of the UE,current time, type of UE, billing data, data plan usage data, type oftarget RAN (e.g., macro cell, femtocell, Wi-Fi network, etc.), and thelike.

FIGS. 9-12 illustrate flow diagrams and/or methods in accordance withthe disclosed subject matter. For simplicity of explanation, the flowdiagrams and/or methods are depicted and described as a series of acts.It is to be understood and appreciated that the various embodiments arenot limited by the acts illustrated and/or by the order of acts, forexample acts can occur in various orders and/or concurrently, and withother acts not presented and described herein. Furthermore, not allillustrated acts may be required to implement the flow diagrams and/ormethods in accordance with the disclosed subject matter. In addition,those skilled in the art will understand and appreciate that the methodscould alternatively be represented as a series of interrelated statesvia a state diagram or events. Additionally, it should be furtherappreciated that the methods disclosed hereinafter and throughout thisspecification are capable of being stored on an article of manufactureto facilitate transporting and transferring such methods to computers.The term article of manufacture, as used herein, is intended toencompass a computer program accessible from any computer-readabledevice or computer-readable storage/communications media.

Referring now to FIG. 9, illustrated is an example method 900 thattransmits a SS criterion that is employed to facilitate dual radiomanagement, according to an aspect of the subject disclosure. As anexample, method 900 can be implemented by one or more network devices ofRAN, for example, an access point (e.g., base station, eNB, HNB, etc.)In another example, method 900 can be implemented by one or more devicesof a core mobility network (e.g., network load management system).

At 902, network load associated with the access point and/or RAN can bedetermined. As an example, the network load can represent loadutilization on radio links (e.g., between the access point and one ormore UEs) and/or a transport link (e.g., between the access point andthe core mobility network). Additionally or optionally, the network loadcan represent load utilization of neighboring access points, forexample, received via X2 interfaces enabled by SON and/or most any othertransport mechanisms. Further, the network load can also represent loadutilization of an overlapping cell(s) from other RATs or frequencies(e.g., WLAN cell, Wi-Fi cell, etc.). In one example, the network loadcan be represented as a load level—High, Medium, Low, Normal, etc. Inanother example, the network load can be represented as a percentagevalue—90% congested, 75% congested, 30% congested etc.

At 904, a SS criterion can be determined, for example, that correspondsto the current network load. It is noted that the SS criterion can havea dynamic (or static) correspondence with the network load. For example,the correspondence can depend on overlapping cell distribution and/or UEdistribution within a coverage area of the access point that can changewith time. The SS criterion can define various parameters thatfacilitate activating dual radios associated with a set of UEs thatenable steering the UEs to the overlapping cell such as, but not limitedto a SST value or SS range. As an example, as the networkload/congestion increases, the SST value can be increased (and/or SSrange can be increased), such that a greater number of UEs can besteered to the overlapping cell(s). Additionally or alternatively, theSST value or SS range data can be selected in a manner such that UEsthat are closer to a cell edge (e.g., further away from the accesspoint) can be steered to the overlapping cell(s) before steering the UEsthat are not close to the cell edge. Further, the SST values and/orranges can be customized based on a type of the overlapping cell(s)(e.g., different SST values and/or ranges can be assigned for macronetworks, femto networks, Wi-Fi networks, etc.).

At 906, the network load and the SS criterion can be transmitted to oneor more UEs that are coupled to the access point, for example, via acell broadcast message(s) (e.g., SIB message). Typically, theinformation can be transmitted periodically, on demand, based ondetecting an event, based on detecting a change in a network loadcondition, etc. Further, the information can be transmitted viadifferent RATs and/or radio frequencies. Moreover, the UEs can utilizethe information to determine whether dual (or multiple) radios are to beactivated or deactivated and accordingly manage battery power. Ifactivated, the UEs can initiate a handover to (orsimultaneous/additional connection with) the overlapping cell via thesecond radio (e.g., WLAN, radio, Wi-Fi radio, Bluetooth® radio, ZigBee®radio, etc.).

FIG. 10 illustrates an example method 1000 that automaticallyactivates/deactivates dual radios of a UE, according to an aspect of thesubject disclosure. As an example, method 1000 can be implemented by aUE having dual or multiples radios. At 1002, network load data can bereceived, for example, from an access point of the first RAN. At 1004, aSS criterion can be received, for example, from the access point. As anexample, the network load data and the SS criterion can be received inthe same or different cell broadcast messages (e.g., SIB messages). Inone aspect, the network load data and the SS criterion can be receivedvia communication between the UE and the access point that is performedby employing a cellular radio. At 1006, the received information can beanalyzed to determine whether a disparate radio, for example, associatedwith the second RAN is to be activated/deactivated. Further, at 1008,the dual radios (e.g., the cellular radio and the disparate radio) canbe activated/deactivated based on the analysis of the receivedinformation. For example, it can be determined whether a received signalstrength (e.g., RSRP, RSCP, RSSI, etc.) associated with the first RANsatisfies the SS criterion. If the received signal strength does notsatisfy the SS criterion, the disparate radio can be activated; else,the disparate radio can be deactivated to conserve UE battery. Since theSS criterion is adapted to current network load conditions, theprobability of the disparate radio being activated is higher if the UEis close to a cell edge of the first RAN. It is noted that variousadditional parameters such as (but not limited to) device preferences,application preferences, UE speed, user defined policies,operator/service provider-defined policies, etc. can be employed tofacilitate the activation/deactivation.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example method 1100 for determining whether aWi-Fi radio of a UE is to be activated, according to an aspect of thesubject disclosure. As an example, method 1100 can be implemented by aUE to limit the time that the Wi-Fi radio is kept switched on such thatbattery power of the UE is conserved. It is noted that althoughmethodology 1100 refers of a Wi-Fi radio, the subject specification isnot that limited and that a radio associated with most any communicationtechnology/protocol can be utilized. At 1102, network load data and anadaptable SST associated with a cellular RAN can be received, forexample, by employing a cellular radio. As an example, the SST isadapted based on real time-network load and can be received via one ormore cell broadcast messages (e.g., SIB messages). At 1104, it can bedetermined that the network load is high. For example, the network loaddata can classify network congestion as “High,” or a percentage valuerepresenting the network load can be determined to be greater than adefined load threshold.

At 1106, a received signal strength (e.g., RSRP, RSCP, RSSI, etc.)associated with the cellular RAN can be determined. Further, thereceived signal strength can be compared with the adaptable SST and, at1108, it can be determined whether the received signal strength is lessthan the adaptable SST. If determined that the received signal strengthis not less than the adaptable SST then, at 1110, a Wi-Fi radio of theUE is kept switched off (or is deactivated) to conserve UE battery.Further, if determined at 1108, that the received signal strength isless than the adaptable SST, then, at 1112, it can be determined whetherthe mobility state of the UE is stationary or pedestrian. For example,the speed/motion of the UE can be compared with a defined speed/motionthreshold/criterion. If determined that the UE is fast moving or themobility state is not stationary or pedestrian, then, at 1110, a Wi-Firadio of the UE is kept switched off (or is deactivated) to conserve UEbattery. Furthermore, if determined at 1108, that the mobility state ofthe UE is stationary or pedestrian, then, at 1114, it can be determinedwhether a user has explicitly switched off the Wi-Fi radio. Ifdetermined that the user has explicitly switched off the Wi-Fi radio at1110, the Wi-Fi radio of the UE is kept switched off (or is deactivated)to conserve UE battery. Alternatively, if determined that the user hasnot explicitly switched off the Wi-Fi radio, then at 1116, the Wi-Firadio can be switched on.

Subsequent to switching on the Wi-Fi radio, the UE can scan for andconnect to a Wi-Fi network and traffic associated with the UE can besteered from the cellular RAN to the Wi-Fi RAN. It is noted that the UEis not limited to performing a handover (e.g., disconnecting from thecellular RAN) and can be simultaneously (or substantiallysimultaneously) be coupled to both the cellular and the Wi-Fi RAN. Inthis example scenario, the UE can determine, based on operator policyand/or application preferences, which data (e.g., a first set of IPflows) is to be communicated via the Wi-Fi RAN and which data (e.g., asecond set of IP flows) is to be communicated via the cellular RAN. Itis noted that various additional parameters such as (but not limited to)device preferences, application preferences, user defined policies,operator/service provider-defined policies, etc. can be employed tofacilitate the switching on of the Wi-Fi radio.

Referring now to FIG. 12, there illustrated is an example method 1200for determining whether a Wi-Fi radio of a UE is to be deactivated,according to an aspect of the subject disclosure. As an example, method1200 can be implemented by a UE to conserve battery power of the UE. Itis noted that although methodology 1200 refers of a Wi-Fi radio, thesubject specification is not that limited and that a radio associatedwith most any communication technology/protocol can be utilized. At1202, network load data and an adaptable SST associated with a cellularRAN can be received, for example, by employing a cellular radio. As anexample, the SST is adapted based on real time-network load and can bereceived via one or more cell broadcast messages (e.g., SIB messages).At 1204, it can be determined that the network load is low or medium.For example, the network load data can classify network congestion as“low” or “medium,” or a percentage value representing the network loadcan be determined to be less than a defined load threshold.

At 1206, a received signal strength (e.g., RSRP, RSCP, RSSI, etc.)associated with the cellular RAN can be determined. Further, thereceived signal strength can be compared with the adaptable SST and at1208; it can be determined whether the received signal strength isgreater than the adaptable SST. If determined that the received signalstrength is not greater than the adaptable SST then, at 1210, a Wi-Firadio of the UE is kept switched on (or is activated). Further, ifdetermined at 1208, that the received signal strength is less than theadaptable SST, then, at 1212, it can be determined whether the mobilitystate of the UE is vehicular. For example, the speed/motion of the UEcan be compared with a defined speed/motion threshold/criterion. Ifdetermined that the UE is slow moving or the mobility state is notvehicular, then, at 1210, the Wi-Fi radio of the UE is kept switched on(or is activated). Furthermore, if determined at 1208, that the mobilitystate of the UE is vehicular, then, at 1214, it can be determinedwhether a user has explicitly switched on the Wi-Fi radio. If determinedthat the user has explicitly switched on the Wi-Fi radio at 1210, aWi-Fi radio of the UE is kept switched on (or is activated).Alternatively, if determined that the user has not explicitly switchedon the Wi-Fi radio, then at 1216, the Wi-Fi radio can be switched off toconserve UE battery. It is noted that various additional parameters suchas (but not limited to) device preferences, application preferences,user defined policies, operator/service provider-defined policies, etc.can be employed to facilitate switching off the Wi-Fi radio.

Referring now to FIG. 13, there is illustrated a block diagram of a UE1300 that facilitates radio control based on an adaptable SS criterionin accordance with the subject specification. Moreover, the UE 1300 canbe substantially similar to and include functionality associated with UE102 described herein. In one aspect, the UE 1300 can include a processor1302 for controlling all onboard operations and processes. A memory 1304can interface to the processor 1302 for storage of data (e.g., includingdata retained in data store 304 and/or data store 602) and one or moreapplications 1306 being executed by the processor 1302. A communicationscomponent 1308 can interface to the processor 1302 to facilitatewired/wireless communication with external systems (e.g., via accesspoint 104, target access point 110, communication network 204, etc.).According to an aspect, the communications component 1308 can includemultiple radios radio#1-radio#N (1309 ₁-1309 _(N)) (wherein, N is mostany integer greater than 1), such as, but not limited to, WLAN radio,Wi-Fi radio, Bluetooth® radio, ZigBee® radio, etc. As an example, theradio#1-radio#N (1309 ₁-1309 _(N)) can include circuitry (e.g.,multiplexer/demultiplexer, modulator/demodulator, transceiver etc.)and/or antennae for communicating with respective RANs by employingrespective RATs. The communications component 1308 can interface to alocation component 1316 (e.g., GPS transceiver) that can facilitatelocation detection of the UE 1300.

The UE 1300 can include a display 1310 for displaying received content(and/or content to be transferred) and/or for displaying textinformation related to operating and using the device features. A serialI/O interface 1312 is provided in communication with the processor 1302to facilitate serial communication (e.g., USB, and/or IEEE 1394) via ahardwire connection. Audio capabilities are provided with an audio I/Ocomponent 1314, which can include a speaker for the output of audiosignals related to, for example, recorded data or telephony voice data,and a microphone for inputting voice signals for recording and/ortelephone conversations.

Further, the UE 1300 can include a slot interface 1316 for accommodatinga subscriber identity module (SIM) 1318. Firmware 1320 is also providedto store and provide to the processor 1302 startup and operational data.The UE 1300 can also include an image capture component 1322 such as acamera and/or a video decoder 1324 for decoding encoded multimediacontent. Further, the UE 1300 can include a power source 1326 in theform of batteries, which power source 1326 interfaces to an externalpower system or charging equipment via a power I/O component 1328. Inaddition, the UE 1300 can include the radio control component 112, thedata reception component 302, the motion determination component 316,the random number generator 702 and the AI component 802 ₂, which can bestored in memory 1304 and/or implemented by an application 1306, caninclude respective functionality, as more fully described herein, forexample, with regard to systems 100-800.

To provide further context for various aspects of the subjectspecification, FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate, respectively, a block diagramof an example embodiment 1400 of an access point that facilitatesautomatic UE radio management based on an adaptable SS criterion and awireless communication environment 1500, with associated components foroperation of efficient network selection in accordance with aspectsdescribed herein.

With respect to FIG. 14, in example embodiment 1400, access point 104can receive and transmit signal(s) (e.g., traffic and control signals)from and to wireless devices, access terminals, wireless ports androuters, etc., through a set of antennas 1469 ₁-1469 _(N). It should beappreciated that while antennas 1469 ₁-1469 _(N) are a part ofcommunication platform 1425, which comprises electronic components andassociated circuitry that provides for processing and manipulating ofreceived signal(s) (e.g., a packet flow) and signal(s) (e.g., abroadcast control channel) to be transmitted. In an aspect,communication platform 1425 can include a transmitter/receiver (e.g., atransceiver) 1466 that can convert signal(s) from analog format todigital format (e.g., analog-to-digital conversion) upon reception, andfrom digital format to analog (e.g., digital-to-analog conversion)format upon transmission. In addition, receiver/transmitter 1466 candivide a single data stream into multiple, parallel data streams, orperform the reciprocal operation. Coupled to transceiver 1466 is amultiplexer/demultiplexer 1467 that facilitates manipulation of signalin time and/or frequency space. Electronic component 1467 can multiplexinformation (data/traffic and control/signaling) according to variousmultiplexing schemes such as time division multiplexing (TDM), frequencydivision multiplexing (FDM), orthogonal frequency division multiplexing(OFDM), code division multiplexing (CDM), space division multiplexing(SDM), etc. In addition, mux/demux component 1467 can scramble andspread information (e.g., codes) according to substantially any codeknown in the art; e.g., Hadamard-Walsh codes, Baker codes, Kasami codes,polyphase codes, and so on. A modulator/demodulator 1468 is also a partof operational group 1425, and can modulate information according tomultiple modulation techniques, such as frequency modulation, amplitudemodulation (e.g., M-ary quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM), with M apositive integer), phase-shift keying (PSK), and the like.

Access point 104 also includes a processor 1445 configured to conferfunctionality, at least partially, to substantially any electroniccomponent in the access point 104, in accordance with aspects of thesubject disclosure. In particular, processor 1445 can facilitateimplementing configuration instructions received through communicationplatform 1425, which can include storing data in memory 1455. Inaddition, processor 1445 facilitates processing data (e.g., symbols,bits, or chips, etc.) for multiplexing/demultiplexing, such as effectingdirect and inverse fast Fourier transforms, selection of modulationrates, selection of data packet formats, inter-packet times, etc.Moreover, processor 1445 can manipulate antennas 1469 ₁-1469 _(N) tofacilitate beamforming or selective radiation pattern formation, whichcan benefit specific locations covered by the access point 104; andexploit substantially any other advantages associated with smart-antennatechnology. Memory 1455 can store data structures, code instructions,system or device information like device identification codes (e.g.,International Mobile Station Equipment Identity (IMEI), Mobile StationInternational Subscriber Directory Number (MSISDN), serial number . . .) and specification such as multimode capabilities; code sequences forscrambling; spreading and pilot transmission, floor plan configuration,access point deployment and frequency plans; and so on. Moreover, memory1455 can store configuration information such as schedules and policies;geographical indicator(s); network load data, SST data, historical logs,and so forth.

In embodiment 1400, processor 1445 can be coupled to the memory 1455 inorder to store and retrieve information necessary to operate and/orconfer functionality to communication platform 1425, network interface1435 (e.g., that coupled the access point to core network devices suchas but not limited to a network controller), and other operationalcomponents (e.g., multimode chipset(s), power supply sources . . . ; notshown) that support access point 104. The access point 104 can furtherinclude a load determination component 202, a SS criterion determinationcomponent 208, a data transfer component 212, and/or an AI component 802₁, which can include functionality, as more fully described herein, forexample, with regard to systems 100-500 and 700-800. In addition, it isto be noted that the various aspects disclosed in the subjectspecification can also be implemented through (i) program modules storedin a computer-readable storage medium or memory (e.g., memory 1455) andexecuted by a processor (e.g., processor 1445), or (ii) othercombination(s) of hardware and software, or hardware and firmware.

Referring now to FIG. 15, there illustrated is a wireless communicationenvironment 1500 that includes two wireless network platforms: (i) Afirst network platform 1510 (e.g., macro network platform) that serves,or facilitates communication with user equipment 1575 via a first RAN1570. As an example, in cellular wireless technologies (e.g., 3GPP UMTS,HSPA, 3GPP LTE, 3GPP UMB, 4G LTE, etc.), the first network platform 1510can be embodied in a Core Network; and (ii) A second network platform1580 (e.g., WLAN platform), which can provide communication with UE 1575through a second RAN 1590 linked to the second network platform 1580. Itshould be appreciated that the second network platform 1580 can offloadUE 1575 from the first network platform 1510, once UE 1575 attaches(e.g., based on the traffic steering described herein) to the secondRAN. In one example, the first RAN and the second RAN can be commonlyoperated and/or deployed by a common service provider.

It is noted that RAN (1570 and/or 1590) includes base station(s), oraccess point(s), and its associated electronic circuitry and deploymentsite(s), in addition to a wireless radio link operated in accordancewith the base station(s). Accordingly, the first RAN 1570 can comprisevarious access points like access point 104, while the second RAN 1590can comprise multiple access points like access point 110.

Both the first and the second network platforms 1510 and 1580 caninclude components, e.g., nodes, gateways, interfaces, servers, orplatforms, that facilitate packet-switched (PS) and/or circuit-switched(CS) traffic (e.g., voice and data) and control generation for networkedwireless communication. For example, the first network platform 1510includes CS gateway node(s) 1512 which can interface CS traffic receivedfrom legacy networks like telephony network(s) 1540 (e.g., publicswitched telephone network (PSTN), or public land mobile network (PLMN))or a SS7 network 1560. Moreover, CS gateway node(s) 1512 interfacesCS-based traffic and signaling and gateway node(s) 1518. In addition toreceiving and processing CS-switched traffic and signaling, gatewaynode(s) 1518 can authorize and authenticate PS-based data sessions withserved (e.g., through the first RAN 1570) wireless devices. Datasessions can include traffic exchange with networks external to thefirst network platform 1510, like wide area network(s) (WANs) 1550; itshould be appreciated that local area network(s) (LANs) can also beinterfaced with first network platform 1510 through gateway node(s)1518. Gateway node(s) 1518 generates packet data contexts when a datasession is established. It should be further appreciated that thepacketized communication can include multiple flows that can begenerated through server(s) 1514. The first network platform 1510 alsoincludes serving node(s) 1516 that conveys the various packetized flowsof information or data streams, received through gateway node(s) 1518.It is to be noted that server(s) 1514 can include one or more processorsconfigured to confer at least in part the functionality of first networkplatform 1510. To that end, one or more processors can execute codeinstructions stored in memory 1530 or other computer-readable medium,for example.

In example wireless environment 1500, memory 1530 can store informationrelated to operation of first network platform 1510. Information caninclude business data associated with subscribers; market plans andstrategies, e.g., promotional campaigns, business partnerships;operational data for mobile devices served through first networkplatform; service and privacy policies; end-user service logs for lawenforcement; and so forth. Memory 1530 can also store information fromat least one of telephony network(s) 1540, WAN(s) 1550, or SS7 network1560. Many different types of information can be stored in memory 1530without departing from example embodiments.

Gateway node(s) 1584 can have substantially the same functionality as PSgateway node(s) 1518. Additionally or optionally, the gateway node(s)1584 can also include substantially all functionality of serving node(s)1516. In an aspect, the gateway node(s) 1584 can facilitate handoverresolution, e.g., assessment and execution. Server(s) 1582 havesubstantially the same functionality as described in connection withserver(s) 1514 and can include one or more processors configured toconfer at least in part the functionality of the first network platform1510. In one example, the network load management system 504 can beimplemented or executed by server(s) 1582 and/or server(s) 1514. To thatend, the one or more processor can execute code instructions stored inmemory 1586, for example.

Memory 1586 can include information relevant to operation of the variouscomponents of the second network platform 1580. For example operationalinformation that can be stored in memory 1586 can comprise, but is notlimited to, subscriber information; contracted services; maintenance andservice records; cell configuration (e.g., devices served through secondRAN 1590; access control lists, or white lists); service policies andspecifications; privacy policies; add-on features; and so forth.

Referring now to FIG. 16, there is illustrated a block diagram of acomputer 1602 operable to execute the disclosed communicationarchitecture. In order to provide additional context for various aspectsof the disclosed subject matter, FIG. 16 and the following discussionare intended to provide a brief, general description of a suitablecomputing environment 1600 in which the various aspects of thespecification can be implemented. While the specification has beendescribed above in the general context of computer-executableinstructions that can run on one or more computers, those skilled in theart will recognize that the specification also can be implemented incombination with other program modules and/or as a combination ofhardware and software.

Generally, program modules include routines, programs, components, datastructures, etc., that perform particular tasks or implement particularabstract data types. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciatethat the inventive methods can be practiced with other computer systemconfigurations, including single-processor or multiprocessor computersystems, minicomputers, mainframe computers, as well as personalcomputers, hand-held computing devices, microprocessor-based orprogrammable consumer electronics, and the like, each of which can beoperatively coupled to one or more associated devices.

The illustrated aspects of the specification can also be practiced indistributed computing environments where certain tasks are performed byremote processing devices that are linked through a communicationsnetwork. In a distributed computing environment, program modules can belocated in both local and remote memory storage devices.

Computing devices typically include a variety of media, which caninclude computer-readable storage media and/or communications media,which two terms are used herein differently from one another as follows.Computer-readable storage media can be any available storage media thatcan be accessed by the computer and includes both volatile andnonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example,and not limitation, computer-readable storage media can be implementedin connection with any method or technology for storage of informationsuch as computer-readable instructions, program modules, structureddata, or unstructured data. Computer-readable storage media can include,but are not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memorytechnology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disk (DVD) or other optical diskstorage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage orother magnetic storage devices, or other tangible and/or non-transitorymedia which can be used to store desired information. Computer-readablestorage media can be accessed by one or more local or remote computingdevices, e.g., via access requests, queries or other data retrievalprotocols, for a variety of operations with respect to the informationstored by the medium.

Communications media typically embody computer-readable instructions,data structures, program modules or other structured or unstructureddata in a data signal such as a modulated data signal, e.g., a carrierwave or other transport mechanism, and includes any information deliveryor transport media. The term “modulated data signal” or signals refersto a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changedin such a manner as to encode information in one or more signals. By wayof example, and not limitation, communication media include wired media,such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless mediasuch as acoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media.

With reference again to FIG. 16, the example environment 1600 forimplementing various aspects of the specification includes a computer1602, the computer 1602 including a processing unit 1604, a systemmemory 1606 and a system bus 1608. As an example, the component(s),server(s), equipment, system(s), and/or device(s) (e.g., user equipment102, access point 104, target access point 110, radio control component112, load determination component 202, SS criterion determinationcomponent 208, data transfer component 212, data reception component302, access point 502, SS criterion determination component 506, randomnumber generator 702, AI components 802 ₁-802 ₂, etc.) disclosed hereinwith respect to system 100-800 can each include at least a portion ofthe computer 1602. The system bus 1608 couples system componentsincluding, but not limited to, the system memory 1606 to the processingunit 1604. The processing unit 1604 can be any of various commerciallyavailable processors. Dual microprocessors and other multi-processorarchitectures can also be employed as the processing unit 1604.

The system bus 1608 can be any of several types of bus structure thatcan further interconnect to a memory bus (with or without a memorycontroller), a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety ofcommercially available bus architectures. The system memory 1606includes read-only memory (ROM) 1610 and random access memory (RAM)1612. A basic input/output system (BIOS) is stored in a non-volatilememory 1610 such as ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, which BIOS contains the basicroutines that help to transfer information between elements within thecomputer 1602, such as during startup. The RAM 1612 can also include ahigh-speed RAM such as static RAM for caching data.

The computer 1602 further includes an internal hard disk drive (HDD)1614, which internal hard disk drive 1614 can also be configured forexternal use in a suitable chassis (not shown), a magnetic floppy diskdrive (FDD) 1616, (e.g., to read from or write to a removable diskette1618) and an optical disk drive 1620, (e.g., reading a CD-ROM disk 1622or, to read from or write to other high capacity optical media such asthe DVD). The hard disk drive 1614, magnetic disk drive 1616 and opticaldisk drive 1620 can be connected to the system bus 1608 by a hard diskdrive interface 1624, a magnetic disk drive interface 1626 and anoptical drive interface 1628, respectively. The interface 1624 forexternal drive implementations includes at least one or both ofUniversal Serial Bus (USB) and IEEE 1394 interface technologies. Otherexternal drive connection technologies are within contemplation of thesubject disclosure.

The drives and their associated computer-readable storage media providenonvolatile storage of data, data structures, computer-executableinstructions, and so forth. For the computer 1602, the drives andstorage media accommodate the storage of any data in a suitable digitalformat. Although the description of computer-readable storage mediaabove refers to a HDD, a removable magnetic diskette, and a removableoptical media such as a CD or DVD, it should be appreciated by thoseskilled in the art that other types of storage media which are readableby a computer, such as zip drives, magnetic cassettes, flash memorycards, cartridges, and the like, can also be used in the exampleoperating environment, and further, that any such storage media cancontain computer-executable instructions for performing the methods ofthe specification.

A number of program modules can be stored in the drives and RAM 1612,including an operating system 1630, one or more application programs1632, other program modules 1634 and program data 1636. All or portionsof the operating system, applications, modules, and/or data can also becached in the RAM 1612. It is appreciated that the specification can beimplemented with various commercially available operating systems orcombinations of operating systems.

A user can enter commands and information into the computer 1602 throughone or more wired/wireless input devices, e.g., a keyboard 1638 and/or apointing device, such as a mouse 1640 or a touchscreen or touchpad (notillustrated, but which may be integrated into UE 102 in someembodiments). These and other input devices are often connected to theprocessing unit 1604 through an input device interface 1642 that iscoupled to the system bus 1608, but can be connected by otherinterfaces, such as a parallel port, an IEEE 1394 serial port, a gameport, a USB port, an IR interface, etc. A monitor 1644 or other type ofdisplay device is also connected to the system bus 1608 via aninterface, such as a video adapter 1646.

The computer 1602 can operate in a networked environment using logicalconnections via wired and/or wireless communications to one or moreremote computers, such as a remote computer(s) 1648. The remotecomputer(s) 1648 can be a workstation, a server computer, a router, apersonal computer, portable computer, microprocessor-based entertainmentappliance, a peer device or other common network node, and typicallyincludes many or all of the elements described relative to the computer1602, although, for purposes of brevity, only a memory/storage device1650 is illustrated. The logical connections depicted includewired/wireless connectivity to a local area network (LAN) 1652 and/orlarger networks, e.g., a wide area network (WAN) 1654. Such LAN and WANnetworking environments are commonplace in offices and companies, andfacilitate enterprise-wide computer networks, such as intranets, all ofwhich can connect to a global communications network, e.g., theInternet.

When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 1602 isconnected to the local network 1652 through a wired and/or wirelesscommunication network interface or adapter 1656. The adapter 1656 canfacilitate wired or wireless communication to the LAN 1652, which canalso include a wireless access point disposed thereon for communicatingwith the wireless adapter 1656.

When used in a WAN networking environment, the computer 1602 can includea modem 1658, or is connected to a communications server on the WAN1654, or has other means for establishing communications over the WAN1654, such as by way of the Internet. The modem 1658, which can beinternal or external and a wired or wireless device, is connected to thesystem bus 1608 via the serial port interface 1642. In a networkedenvironment, program modules depicted relative to the computer 1602, orportions thereof, can be stored in the remote memory/storage device1650. It will be appreciated that the network connections shown areexample and other means of establishing a communications link betweenthe computers can be used.

The computer 1602 is operable to communicate with any wireless devicesor entities operatively disposed in wireless communication, e.g.,desktop and/or portable computer, server, communications satellite, etc.This includes at least Wi-Fi and Bluetooth™ wireless technologies. Thus,the communication can be a predefined structure as with a conventionalnetwork or simply an ad hoc communication between at least two devices.

Wi-Fi, or Wireless Fidelity, allows connection to the Internet from acouch at home, a bed in a hotel room, or a conference room at work,without wires. Wi-Fi is a wireless technology similar to that used in acell phone that enables such devices, e.g., computers, to send andreceive data indoors and out; anywhere within the range of a basestation. Wi-Fi networks use radio technologies called IEEE 802.11 (a, b,g, n, etc.) to provide secure, reliable, fast wireless connectivity. AWi-Fi network can be used to connect computers to each other, to theInternet, and to wired networks (which use IEEE 802.3 or Ethernet).Wi-Fi networks operate in the unlicensed 5 GHz radio band at an 54 Mbps(802.11a) data rate, and/or a 2.4 GHz radio band at an 11 Mbps(802.11b), an 54 Mbps (802.11g) data rate, or up to an 600 Mbps(802.11n) data rate for example, or with products that contain bothbands (dual band), so the networks can provide real-world performancesimilar to the basic 10BaseT wired Ethernet networks used in manyoffices.

As employed in the subject specification, the term “processor” can referto substantially any computing processing unit or device comprising, butnot limited to comprising, single-core processors; single-processorswith software multithread execution capability; multi-core processors;multi-core processors with software multithread execution capability;multi-core processors with hardware multithread technology; parallelplatforms; and parallel platforms with distributed shared memory.Additionally, a processor can refer to an integrated circuit, anapplication specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signalprocessor (DSP), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a programmablelogic controller (PLC), a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), adiscrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or anycombination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein.Processors can exploit nano-scale architectures such as, but not limitedto, molecular and quantum-dot based transistors, switches and gates, inorder to optimize space usage or enhance performance of user equipment.A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computingprocessing units.

In the subject specification, terms such as “data store,” data storage,”“database,” “cache,” and substantially any other information storagecomponent relevant to operation and functionality of a component, referto “memory components,” or entities embodied in a “memory” or componentscomprising the memory. It will be appreciated that the memorycomponents, or computer-readable storage media, described herein can beeither volatile memory or nonvolatile memory, or can include bothvolatile and nonvolatile memory. By way of illustration, and notlimitation, nonvolatile memory can include read only memory (ROM),programmable ROM (PROM), electrically programmable ROM (EPROM),electrically erasable ROM (EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory caninclude random access memory (RAM), which acts as external cache memory.By way of illustration and not limitation, RAM is available in manyforms such as synchronous RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronousDRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM(ESDRAM), Synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM), and direct Rambus RAM (DRRAM).Additionally, the disclosed memory components of systems or methodsherein are intended to comprise, without being limited to comprising,these and any other suitable types of memory.

What has been described above includes examples of the presentspecification. It is, of course, not possible to describe everyconceivable combination of components or methods for purposes ofdescribing the present specification, but one of ordinary skill in theart may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of thepresent specification are possible. Accordingly, the presentspecification is intended to embrace all such alterations, modificationsand variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appendedclaims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used ineither the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended tobe inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as“comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in aclaim.

What is claimed is:
 1. A user equipment, comprising: a processor; and amemory that stores executable instructions that, when executed by theprocessor, facilitate performance of operations, comprising: receiving afirst signal representative of signal strength criterion data from afirst network device of a first radio access network by employing afirst radio of the user equipment, wherein the first signal is a datasignal, and wherein the signal strength criterion data comprises avariable signal strength threshold that is modified based on a change inload data indicative of a load associated with the first radio accessnetwork, receiving, from the network device, classification dataindicative of a type of radio access technology utilized by a secondnetwork device of a second radio access network, wherein the variablesignal strength threshold has been modified based on the classificationdata, and based on comparing signal strength data, indicative of astrength of a second signal received from the first network device, withthe variable signal strength threshold, controlling a power of a secondradio of the user equipment that is employable to communicatively couplethe user equipment with the second network device.
 2. The user equipmentof claim 1, wherein the controlling comprises switching on the secondradio in response to determining that the strength of the second signalis less than the variable signal strength threshold.
 3. The userequipment of claim 2, wherein the switching on the second radiocomprises switching on the second radio in response to determining thatload data received from the first network device satisfies a definedhigh load criterion.
 4. The user equipment of claim 2, wherein theswitching on the second radio comprises switching on the second radio inresponse to receiving input data instructing the user equipment toswitch on the second radio.
 5. The user equipment of claim 2, whereinthe switching on the second radio comprises switching on the secondradio in response to determining that motion data representing a motionof the user equipment satisfies a defined slow motion criterion.
 6. Theuser equipment of claim 1, wherein the controlling comprises switchingoff the second radio in response to determining that the strength of thesecond signal is greater than the variable signal strength threshold. 7.The user equipment of claim 6, wherein the switching off the secondradio comprises switching off the second radio in response todetermining that the load data received from the first network devicesatisfies a defined low load criterion.
 8. The user equipment of claim1, wherein the variable signal strength threshold is a first variablesignal strength threshold that is modified based on historical dataindicative of a second variable signal strength threshold that has beenutilized to increase network efficiency of the first network device. 9.The user equipment of claim 6, wherein the switching off the secondradio comprises switching off the second radio in response todetermining that motion data representing a motion of the user equipmentsatisfies a defined fast motion criterion.
 10. The user equipment ofclaim 1, wherein the variable signal strength threshold is modified tosteer traffic from selected user equipment, including the userequipment, to the second device.
 11. The user equipment of claim 1,wherein the variable signal strength threshold is decreased in responseto determining that congestion within the first radio access network hasdecreased.
 12. The user equipment of claim 1, wherein the variablesignal strength threshold is increased in response to determining thatcongestion within the first radio access network has increased.
 13. Amethod, comprising: receiving, by a user equipment comprising aprocessor, a data signal that represents signal strength criterion datafrom a first network device of a first radio access network by employinga first radio of the user equipment, wherein the signal strengthcriterion data represents an adaptable signal strength threshold that isdetermined based on load data indicative of a load associated with thefirst radio access network; receiving, by the user equipment, categorydata indicative of a category of radio access technology utilized by asecond network device of a second radio access network, wherein theadaptable signal strength threshold has been modified based on thecategory data, and based on comparing signal strength data, representinga strength of a signal received from the first network device, with theadaptable signal strength threshold, denying, by the user equipment, aprovision of power to a second radio of the user equipment that isemployable to communicatively couple the user equipment with the secondnetwork device.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the denyingcomprises denying the provision of the power to the second radio inresponse to determining that the strength of the signal is greater thanthe adaptable signal strength threshold.
 15. The method of claim 13,wherein the denying comprises denying the provision of the power to thesecond radio based on speed data indicative of a speed of the userequipment.
 16. The method of claim 13, wherein the denying comprisesdenying the provision of the power to the second radio based on loaddata indicative of congestion associated with the first radio accessnetwork.
 17. The method of claim 13, wherein the denying comprisesdenying the provision of the power to the second radio based on policydata received via the first network device.
 18. A non-transitorymachine-readable storage medium comprising executable instructions that,when executed by a processor of a user equipment, facilitate theperformance of operations, comprising: receiving a data signal thatrepresents congestion data associated with a first device of a firstradio access network device, to which the user equipment is coupled viaa first radio, wherein the congestion data is determined to satisfy ahigh congestion criterion; receiving, from the first device, cell typedata that specifies a radio access technology employed by a seconddevice, of a second access network device, to which the user equipmentcan communicate via a second radio, wherein the congestion data has beenadjusted based on the cell type data; in response to verifying thatlocation data indicative of a location of the user equipment satisfies acell edge criterion, activating the second radio; and in response toverifying that the location data does not satisfy the cell edgecriterion, deactivating the second radio.
 19. The non-transitorymachine-readable storage medium of claim 18, wherein the data signal isa first signal, and wherein the verifying that location data satisfies acell edge criterion is based on a comparison of the signal strength dataassociated with a second signal received from the first radio accessnetwork device with an adaptable signal strength criterion that ismodified based on the congestion data.
 20. The non-transitorymachine-readable storage medium of claim 18, wherein the operationsfurther comprise: in response to determining that the congestion datahas been updated and that the updated congestion data does not satisfythe high congestion criterion, deactivating the second radio.